Health Handout

Info3/14/14

How Wine Affects Your HealthWine-making dates back to 6000 to 4000 B.C., when wine was enjoyed by royalty and priests. Today, wine is a staple in diets all over the world. While alcohol is typically frowned upon as a part of a balanced diet, wine may have its place in low-carbohydrate, gluten-free and even heart-healthy diets.

Does Wine Have Salt In It?Wine usually does contain a small amount of salt. The salt can be added to the wine in two ways, according to AromaDictionary.com. The groundwater where the grape vines grow could contain salt. Conversely, sometimes saltwater is sprayed directly on the leaves and vine, and the salt is absorbed by the grapes.

How Much Sodium Is in Wine?Adults should limit their sodium intake to less than 2,300 milligrams per day. Wine does contain a negligible amount of sodium, though only enough to classify it as a very low-sodium beverage. A 5-ounce serving of merlot offers approximately 5 milligrams of sodium, while the same-sized serving of chardonnay contains 7 milligrams of sodium.

How Much Potassium Is in Wine?The same serving of wine also adds a decent amount of potassium to your diet. Five ounces of merlot contain 187 milligrams of potassium, while 5 ounces of chardonnay give you 104 milligrams. This equates to 4 percent and 2 percent, respectively, of an adult's daily needs of 4,700 milligrams.

How Much Phosphorus Is in Wine?

Phosphorus is a mineral that contributes 1 percent of a person's body weight. Phosphorus plays a role in bone and teeth formation and is a critical component of energy production. A 5-ounce serving of merlot contains 34 milligrams of phosphorus and the same-sized serving of chardonnay offers 26 milligrams. This is about 4 to 5 percent of an adult's daily needs of 700 milligrams per day.

Does French Wine Have Gluten?Because wine is made from grapes, it is naturally gluten-free. However, there are a couple factors that may add gluten to the wine during the fermentation process. Typically, in French wine-making, the wine is placed in an oak barrel that is sealed with a flour paste. This flour paste contains gluten, and there is a chance that it could contaminate the wine. In some instances, gluten is used to clarify the wine during a process called fining.

Can You Take Red Wine With Vitamins?

If you are taking vitamins, it is best to take them with water, rather than with red wine. The alcohol in red wine can inhibit the absorption of nutrients from the vitamin in several ways. Alcohol inhibits the breakdown of nutrients, which in turn decreases their absorption by decreasing the amount of digestive enzymes that the pancreas secretes. Alcohol also alters the transport, storage and excretion of nutrients, so even if they are absorbed, they are not properly utilized.

Does White Wine Lower Glucose?All alcohol, including white wine, lowers blood glucose levels immediately after drinking it and for approximately 24 hours afterward, according to the American Diabetes Association. This can be a concern, especially for diabetics. To prevent dramatic decreases, sip wine during a meal. This can help stabilize blood sugar levels and prevent them from dropping too much.

How Much Sugar and Carbs Are in White Wine?

There are several varieties of white wine: from Riesling to chardonnay to pinot grigio. The exact sugar and carbohydrate content varies based not only on the type of wine, but also the wine manufacturer. On average, a 5-ounce serving of white wine contains about 3 grams of carbohydrates. Almost half of these carbohydrates, or 1.4 grams, come from sugar.

Does Low Alcohol Mean Less Sugar in Wine?

The process of making alcohol relies on the presence of sugar. During wine-making, the natural sugar in the grapes is broken down by yeast and converted in ethanol, or alcohol, and carbon dioxide. The higher the sugar content of the grapes used, the higher the alcohol content of the finished product will be. Thus, the lower the alcohol content, the lower the sugar content will be. Certain sugars are not fermentable, so some sugar remains in the wine after the fermentation process. This is called residual sugar.

Does Red Wine Help to Replace Electrolytes?

Electrolytes, which include calcium, sodium, chloride, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium, are electrically charged minerals that play a role in water balance, muscle function and pH maintenance. When electrolytes are lost, such as through sweat, it can throw off your body's physiological function and cause a host of problems. Because red wine contains sodium, chloride, phosphorus and potassium, in theory, it could help replace any lost electrolytes. However, wine is also dehydrating -- the alcohol blocks the release of antidiuretic hormones, and the kidneys start releasing water in the form of excess urination. This process causes you to lose more electrolytes and can be counterproductive. If you need to replace electrolytes, consume electrolyte-fortified water or a sports drink.

Is Wine Really Heart Healthy?Wine, specifically red wine, has often been touted as a part of a heart-healthy diet. This label comes about due to the presence of a specific antioxidant, called resveratrol, in red wine. Resveratrol may help prevent blood clots, decrease LDL cholesterol and protect red blood vessels from damage. The Mayo Clinic notes that there are a few problems with these studies, however. They were performed on mice, not humans, and humans would have to drink more than 60 liters of red wine every day to see these heart-healthy effects. Also, it is unclear whether resveratrol was responsible for the benefits. More research is needed before definite claims can be made.

Love Your Heart: Why Nutrition Matters:

Nutrition plays a key role in keeping your heart healthy. Choosing low-fat, heart-healthy foods such as lean meats, fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat or fat-free dairy products will help prevent heart disease. Avoiding too much caffeine can maintain a healthy heart rate, and certain vitamins and minerals such as potassium and vitamin B-12 keep your heart functioning properly.

Can Certain Foods Increase Your Heart Rate?

Hot peppers contain capsaicin, which increases heart rate. The American Heart Association states that people who drink large amounts of coffee or alcohol may also suffer from tachycardia, or rapid heart rate. However, a 2008 article published in the "International Food Information Council Review" reported that research has shown that moderate amounts, or less than 400 milligrams, of caffeine, which is equivalent to 4 cups of coffee, does not affect your heart health. Chocolate, tea, energy drinks and caffeinated sodas also contain caffeine; consume them in moderation.

How Does Fatty Food Affect the Heart Rate?

Fatty foods don’t affect your heart rate but they can lead to clogged arteries, forcing your heart to work harder than it should. Some fats are worse than others. Saturated fats, which are solid at room temperature and usually come from animal sources, can raise your cholesterol and lead to heart disease. Fatty meat, butter and high-fat dairy foods all contain saturated fats. Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are healthier for your heart. These fats can be found in vegetable oils, avocados, nuts and fatty fish.

Does American Cheese Affect Heart Rate?

A 1-ounce slice of American cheese contains almost 9 grams of fat, mostly saturated. Eating large amounts of regular American cheese may raise your cholesterol, which can build up on the walls of your arteries eventually leading to heart attack or stroke. Your heart rate most likely won’t be affected, but your risk for heart disease increases as your cholesterol level rises. Several manufacturers make low-fat or even fat-free versions of American cheese. Choose these types of cheese as healthier options.

Does Fruit Juice Affect Your Heart Rate?

Fruit juice doesn’t affect your heart rate but can be part of a heart-healthy diet. An article in the 2009 journal “Nutrition Reviews” reported that pomegranate juice contains antioxidant, antihypertensive and anti-inflammatory effects, all of which protect your heart from cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure. Martha Grogan, M.D., from the Mayo Clinic states that grape juice may have similar health benefits as red wine including reduced risk of blood clots, reduced LDL cholesterol, protecting artery walls and maintaining a healthy blood pressure. Fruit juice is fat-free and cholesterol-free, but be cautious if you take certain medications. Grapefruit juice can interact with some heart medications, which can be dangerous. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about possible interactions.

Does Fish Oil Lower Your Heart Rate?According to the American Heart Association, omega-3 fatty acids, the fats found in fish oil, decrease your risk of abnormal heartbeats. They also decrease your triglyceride levels, slow the buildup of plaque on your arteries and slightly lower your blood pressure. The AHA recommends eating two servings of fish a week including salmon, sardines, trout or albacore tuna. Some people, especially those who have heart disease, may benefit from fish oil supplements. Always talk to your doctor before taking supplements.

Can Whey Protein Give You a Rapid Heart Rate?

Whey protein, which comes from milk, usually doesn’t cause a rapid heartbeat, but if you experience heart palpitations, tightness in your chest or a fast heartbeat after consuming it, you may be allergic and need medical help immediately. These symptoms could be signs of anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction that can lead to death. According to the Mayo Clinic, causes of a rapid heartbeat include congenital malformations, heart disease, smoking, drinking too much caffeine, drugs, medications or an imbalance of electrolytes. If you work out strenuously after consuming whey protein and haven’t stayed hydrated, your rapid heart rate could be from the exercise or from dehydration, not the whey protein.

Does High CholesterolAffect Heart Rate?

Cholesterol doesn’t raise or lower your heart rate, but it can affect the health of your heart and blood vessels. High levels of cholesterol in your blood increase your risk for cardiovascular disease. As cholesterol accumulates in your blood vessels, it gradually builds up on the walls of your arteries. Over time, this leads to plaque and eventually blocks the artery, which causes a heart attack or stroke. To avoid this from happening, the American Heart Association recommends that you consume less than 300 milligrams of cholesterol daily.

Does the Caffeine in Soft Drinks Affect the Human Heart Rate?

The Mayo Clinic lists drinking too many caffeinated beverages as one cause of tachycardia, or rapid heartbeat. Most cola drinks contain between 30 and 40 milligrams of caffeine. Some citrus-flavored sodas with caffeine contain 46 to 55 milligrams and some brands of root beer contain around 20 milligrams. If you drink more than 500 to 600 milligrams of caffeine daily, you may experience a rapid heart rate. If you drink caffeinated beverages, the Mayo Clinic recommends limiting your caffeine intake to between 200 and 300 milligrams daily. Teenagers should drink less than 100 milligrams and children shouldn’t drink any caffeinated beverages on a regular basis.

How Long Can Caffeine Keep Your Heart Rate High?

Caffeine affects everyone differently. According to the Mayo Clinic, people who don’t drink caffeinated beverages very often will be affected more than those who drink them regularly. The amount that you drink will also affect the length of time your heart rate remains high. According to Professor Andrew Smith from the University of Cardiff in the United Kingdom, caffeine peaks in your bloodstream between 15 and 45 minutes after you ingest it. It takes five to six hours for your body to metabolize half of the caffeine you consumed. Women taking birth control pills and pregnant women take 11 and 18 hours respectively to metabolize half of the caffeine they consume.

Does Taking B12 Raise Your Heart Rate?

Vitamin B-12 lowers your homocysteine levels -- an indicator of heart disease -- in your blood. It doesn’t affect your heart rate. According to the University of California San Francisco, people with elevated homocysteine levels were more likely to suffer from strokes, heart attacks and death from heart disease than people with normal levels of homocysteine. Those who took vitamin B-12 supplements lowered their homocysteine levels by 7 percent thus reducing their risk for heart disease. Adults need 2.4 micrograms of vitamin B-12 daily, which can be found in fortified breakfast cereals, trout, salmon, tuna, milk and yogurt.

Three Take-Aways From Today’s Lesson:

A) Limit your alcohol consumption (when you’re 21, of course!) to reduce risk of heart disease or cirrhosis of the liver.

B) B) Make sure you eat a balanced, healthy diet of lean meats, fruits, veggies, dairy products, and whole grains.

C) C) Check with your Doctor before you take any supplements, or if you experience any strange side affects like rapid heart rate or tightness in your chest; you may have allergies you didn’t know about.